Welcome Newbies & New Posters ! How has this Board Assisted You ? (page 3)

Bells

This board has been so fantastic for me - and I'm not even (nor was I ever) a Witness! My other half's family are all witnesses. When we first got together, 12 years ago, I thought it was all pretty full on - however, I am a firm believer in 'each to their own' and was determined to be open-minded and respectful. Fast forward 12 years, I am so worn down by how I have been treated over those 12 years, when I have only ever been respectful to them and their beliefs, I am finally allowing myself to form an honest opinion on the whole religion. As a result of these people being in this particular religion, I have basically been treated like a 2nd class citizen and my self-esteem has been damaged - not to mention the huge impact that it's had on my relationship with my bf.

I got to a stage where for some reason, I wanted to know the in's and out's of these beliefs, find out what makes them 'tick' - and by tick, I mean treat me how they do. I've found that by finding so many answers here, I'm more comfortable in how I feel around them. I still believe ' each to their own' however I'm able to not let all the little negative comments towards me affect me so badly, therefore leaving my self-esteem in tact. Nowadays, I'm able to hear a comment or remark that would have once upon a time really upset me, and take it with a grain of salt, rolling my eyes on the inside - because really, these people are kinda crazy... I mean - the whole demon thing!!?? I've actually heard someone describe a 'demon attack' before... I sat there quietly but felt like screaming "love - what you're describing is an anxiety attack, not a demon attack!!!"

As someone on the 'outside' this board has helped me so much in gaining an understanding of what my bf was involved in growing up, and helping him (hopefully) to get over some of the little hang ups that are still ingrained - despite being 'out' for 11 years. It's helped me also to form a strong opinion in regards to what sort of influence the grandparents will have once we have children.

This board has been a fantastic source of information - and advice (I'm currently halfway through Steve Hassans "Combatting Cult Mind Control") - thank you for the suggestion

flipper

ISOJOURN- I have found the same thing as you too- lots of empathetic, smart, funny people here who help make my existence on this planet easier as well ! I love all of you. I feel like you do Isojourn it's a challenge because a large part of my family is still in the Witnesses so it presents a challenge. Take courage, you will meet some new friends who will see you for who you are - a good, decent person who thinks free. I'll PM you my wife and my phone number, perhaps we can talk sometime. Also- I've found that apostafests ARE a great way to meet other ex-Witnesses . We have one every year at Lake Tahoe.

LIFESTOOSHORT- Excellent that you've got your freedom of mind back ! Right on ! That was the thing I most cherished also in exiting the JW cult. I never realized my mind was so controlled and regimented until I read Steve Hassan's two books on mind control. If you get a chance to read them , I'm sure it would help you like it did me. I was in the organization for 44 years from birth and it REALLY helped me to see how I had been duped by the WT society. The two books are titled, " Combatting Cult Mind Control " & " Releasing the Bonds- Empowering People to Think for Themselves ". I think you'll really enjoy it.

N.DREW- I agree. I have found more spiritual people here than I EVER did inside the Witnesses . And a variety of people who don't even consider themselves religious ! Yet they are more spiritual than many churchgoing people. JWN is like a party. Lots of different subjects covered for anybody's interest.

CLARITY- Clarity, hugs back to you from me & my wife ! Hope you are well. Isn't the Internet the best thing since sliced bread ? I was amazed when I first got on the JWN board also and found out so much exposure about the WT society. And after reading Steve Hassan's books AND Ray Franz's books the picture became crystal clear. And like you said sometimes the answers ARE so blunt- it staggers us, but once we adapt to reality we go through the stages of grief, anger, and we in time become stronger from dealing with it. It certainly IS great to be free, I agree.

SIZEMIK- I agree with you- the tremendous support I've received here has been astounding. I feel deeply for people that are going through shunning and suffering as well. I've enjoyed your posts and great thoughts also by the way. You are one cool cat.

NEW CHAPTER- I have found that this board takes the sting out of loneliness as well . Have made many new friends here that I feel very close to. Unconditional love rocks ! And I gained new insight into how demented the WT society really is.

SCENIC VIEWER- I too found out about WT society scandals here on JWN . It's been a great venue for putting out information which we might not hear elsewhere. People like Barbara Anderson and Randy Watters are fantastic in that they have worked hard to expose the WT society as well. I feel for people too who have JW relatives still in and are having to start anew in making friends outside the Witnesses. But the amont of support on this board is incredible ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper

flipper

WOODY 22- Your message didn't come through. Please try again .

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS- I understand what you mean. I've never been on any information boards until this one either. But it really is great to be on here for the support and information. Those posters you mention and others like Blondie do a lot of great work in researching information and hooking people up to appropriate links in finding out WT society errors

flipper

BELLS- I'm so glad that you've been able to be on the board here and get access to information that has assisted you in dealing with your ex-JW boyfriends Witness family. It is quite a challenge to cut through the crud of mind control - but as you stated it becomes a little easier when we understand that these JW's are just plain nuts ! They are PROGRAMMED to be insane ! I hold the WT society responsible for that and not the individual Witnesses entirely. Hopefully your boyfriend will not return or at least not be in fear anymore of the WT society and the Witness teachings. Because they are an illusion, a fantasy. As you are probably finding out in Steve Hassan's book that ALL mind control cults use fear and guilt to control members. I'm happy to hear you are reading that book- it will help you understand even more what you'll go through and perhaps you can share some of the book with your boyfriend ? It would help him as well ! Glad you are enjoying it ! Take care, nice to have you here ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper

isojourn

Thanks Mr. Flipper.

wobble

I am far from a Newbie I guess, but I must give a "good witness" (boy did that hurt to write ! JW speak is crap!) about my experience.

When I discovered this site I was planning suicide due to depression brought on by years of being a JW, then discovering it was total crap, so my whole world view had to change, and brought on by some other factors.

I had worked out how to do it, and how to minimise the effect on my family, I was that low, rock bottom.

I read for days on here, lots of old posts etc and suddenly my eyes were open, but more importantly I began to have a feeling that I was worth something, that I owed it to others to live, and if I could, help them be free of the cult.

Slowly I improved, and happiness returned in small measure, and then grew as I began to post on here, and I was helped more and more.

So thank you, thank you, dear Flipper and all the posters on here ,past and present, you saved my life, you gave me a life.

I love you all.

Rob. (aka Wobble)

Vidqun

Favorite saying, "Say your say or forever hold your peace". I like to say my say. Here I can do it without "repercussions". Favorite scripture: 'Each one must work out his own salvation.' (Phil. 2:12)

cantleave

A big welcome to all the newbies and lurkers.

williston

flipper

ISOJOURN - You have a PM from me, please check ! Thanks.

WOBBLE- My dear friend, I never realized how downhearted you were at one time. I'm choking back some tears writing this. I'm so glad you chose to live and be here on the board helping others who are exiting the JW cult ! I really enjoy your great posts and contributions to the board. Being that you were a born-in JW like me who spent over 40 - 50 years in the cult - you have a lot of experience to draw on in helping people here to move on with their lives and gain freedom. I'm so glad that this board has helped you and if I've had a small share in that like many others here that have helped you - it is definitely worth the effort for your life to begin again and your life being saved ! Much love back to you Rob. We love you too. Hope you are doing well. Take care my friend.

VIDQUN- One great thing about this board is we can have our say ! I agree, it's a really great thing. We never HAD true freedom of speech inside the JW cult.

CANTLEAVE- Exactly. A big welcome to newbies AND lurkers ! I second that comment.

WILLISTON- Welcome to the board ! Nice to have you here. I see it's your first post. But I see no message. You might try posting again as no message came through. But still nice to have you here ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper

Welcome Newbies & New Posters ! How has this Board Assisted You ?

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